“Summer has to end eventually,” the organizers of Gulfport’s annual Gecko festivities like to say. “We might as well send it out on a high note.”
From all accounts, the city’s 2026 Gecko Ball, Aug. 29, was one for the record books, as residents came costumed as their favorite pop and rock stars in keeping with this year’s theme, the Gulfport Music Awards.
The Aug. 29 Gecko Ball. Photo by Donna Foster Willis.
That spirit will carry over to Saturday’s Gecko Fest, taking up the length and breadth of Beach Boulevard from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Equal parts wacky, wild Mardi Gras-inspired street fair and fun family festival, Gecko Fest is in its 26th year.
The day’s high point (well, one of them) is the big walking parade, at 6 p.m., officiated by the 2026 Gecko Queen and featuring the Gulfport Amalgamated Marching Band. Costumes are encouraged.
The Duchess. Photo provided.
Crowned at the Gecko Ball, this year’s winner is the drag performer known as The Duchess. “It takes many flowers to make a bouquet,” said the Duchess, a.k.a. Craig Smith. “And Gulfport is a fabulous bouquet of flowers.”
Previous Gecko Queen Leslie Gilchrist, who crowned her successor, reflected on her year as “royalty” in her city. “I will say people are thrilled to have their picture taken with the queen,” Gilchrist said. “I also did not realize just how happy being around all of that made people. They were just so happy. It was really cool, to me.”
Representing one’s city, said The Duchess, is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Even if the city is Gulfport, where humor and frivolity often go hand-in-hand with obligations.
“There’s all types of festivities throughout the year in Gulfport,” she explained. “I’ll be heading those. When new businesses open up, we always celebrate them. It’s about spending your money in your community, and uplifting everyone.”
The bottom line, added the new queen, is that “it’s about the community spirit and the enthusiasm that everyone has. I raise money for charity doing drag, and giving back to the community is my main goal, and to be able to represent a community like Gulfport is just an amazing thing.
The Duchess is crowned. Photo by Shannon Love.
“Community spirit is about people bring free to express who they are. Freedom of expression.”
It’s also about helping out in tough times. After the 2024 hurricanes, which devastated downtown Gulfport, “I took off my prom dresses and tiaras and we handed out supplies to everyone, all of our neighbors, and helped rebuild the community.”
Because the hurricane-damaged Gulfport Casino (traditional location for the Gecko Ball) remains closed and under repair, this year’s event was held at nearby Stetson University. “They were outstanding to let us share the space with them,” said The Duchess. “It was a fabulous venue.”
Along with 125 or so vendors – from food and drink to handmade arts, crafts and products – Saturday’s Gecko Fest has two music stages, which will be occupied all day and night for the celebration of all things Gulfport: North Stage, 28th Avenue S.; South Stage, Shore Avenue; plus street entertainment at 29th, 30th and 31st Avenues.
Parking and admission are free, and the event is pet-friendly.